Honest Business Book Reviews (Part 3)

More honest thoughts on work-related reads

Today’s edition of Wishful Working is a 4 minute read.

Welcome to the third installment of Honest Business Book Reviews, a series where I tell you which work-related reads are good and which are a bit shit.

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 if you’re interested in more ideas for your to-read list (or to-avoid list, in some cases).

My favorite subtopics in the broader “business book” genre include the future of work, the history of work, productivity tips, entrepreneurship, global economics, and creativity. Most business books I read fall into one or more of these categories. 

Links below will take you to Bookshop.org, but I would encourage you to find these books at your local library or local independent bookstore.

5 book covers in a row: Out of Office, Deep Work, Profit First, The Gap and the Gain, and Love + Work

By Charlie Warzel and Anne Helen Peterson

This was a well-written, thought-provoking book that covered a variety of progressive work ideas — not just remote work. Essentially, the authors explore how the very nature of work has changed in recent years (especially during the pandemic) and will continue to change. I wouldn’t say it’s very practical in terms of implementation of new ideas, but I was fine with that. I enjoyed this a lot! 4 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

By Cal Newport

I feel like this is an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t care for this book. The main premise is solid, and there were a few good insights, but this could have been a blog post. Very self-congratulatory. Endless anecdotes about upper middle class white men who credit their success to their discipline and focus. I would like to know how many relied on the invisible (and unpaid) labor of their wives in order to carve out their time for deep work. Bleh. 2 stars. ⭐⭐

By Mike Michalowicz

This is a popular book, and I can see why. It’s not necessarily aimed at freelancers/solo business owners, as much advice is more relevant for folks with employees. Also, I feel a little icky about the tips aimed at reducing temptation around spending, like putting an emergency credit card in a sealed envelope and giving it to an accountability partner. Really?

Still, an interesting read and good for checking in on your money mindset. My current financial system is actually somewhat similar to the Profit First methodology, and it is working great for me. 3 stars. ⭐⭐⭐

By Dan Sullivan and Benjamin P. Hardy

I like this book's central concept, and I think I would recommend at least skimming this book in spite of its flaws. It was interesting and motivating, and it encouraged a mostly healthy relationship to goals and achievement.

However, like most business books, this was a bit overlong and repetitive. The interviews with Dan Sullivan in the audiobook version were... not great. Dan seemed to be rambling, and he said a few things that really made me scratch my head. His outlook on life seems very individualistic and self-focused. He explicitly encourages people not to worry about "changing the world" or helping other people, which I strongly disagree with. 3 stars. ⭐⭐⭐

By Marcus Buckingham

This book did not meet my expectations, unfortunately. The premise is good — Loving some aspect of our work is important for finding fulfillment and avoiding burnout. However, I thought the book was too long and had too many meandering anecdotes.

Also, the theme of workism/careerism felt contradictory to the main premise. Yes, it's great to enjoy aspects of our work, but I actually don't think we need to put our full heart and soul into the thing(s) we do to pay the bills. Isn't it better to direct our love towards family, friends, hobbies, and other things outside of work? Some interesting things to think about, but not the concise, practical book I was hoping for. 2 stars. ⭐⭐

I love reading business books — good or bad. If you have a rec, please send it my way!

See you next week,

Kara